Welcome to Issue #17 of The Wanderlust, my monthly zine where I share what I’m up to, encourage you to dance, wander and explore and discover amazing new creative talent. I delve into my photo archives, share snippets from my travel journals and drop in the odd freebie. So if you know someone who you think might like this, feel free to share it with them.
Before I get into this month’s issue, a quick reminder to let me know if you’d like any prints for Christmas gifts so I can get them posted out to you in good time. Just hit reply with what you’d like and I’ll see what I’ve got left.
Last month I was looking at a trip down to Glasgow and had a few places on my list to check out. That was before I found out about the Glasgow Print Fair and of course that meant a complete change of plans. We started out the day at Kafei Studio (run by Space Coffee House) for coffee and and a nibble before making our way to The Pyramid for the fair. It’s always great to see creative work in the flesh and pick up some gifts for friends. Definitely one for the diary next year! Some of my favourites from the day were:
Angus Vasili’s screen printed urban artwork
Abby Sumner’s colourful geometric print work
Caroline Dowsett’s shapes on prints and scarves
Concrete Nature Studio’s prints and zines
Nebo Peklo’s brutalist architecture
Ploterre’s data inspired prints
Peter Byrne’s photography
Then it was on to Ottoman for lunch before finishing up the day at Grateful Gallery to see their latest exhibition Resist and Persist by Burds of the Brush.
Time to read: 4 mins 30 secs
Time to dance: 3 mins 4 secs
Last Winter I mentioned adding new traditions into my festive mix, a Christmas movie in an old cinema, festive markets and snowy walks. Last year we made the cinema tradition official by returning to the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy for Love Actually. You could say it’s our ‘local’ and we’re headed back there this year too.
Another tradition I’m adding is to go to a Tea Green Market each year and shop for Christmas gifts. Last year we made it to the one at Kelvingrove in Glasgow and this year I’m aiming for the one at Bowhouse in Fife which runs from Friday the 12th - Sunday the 14th of December.
I haven’t been to a Christmas light switch on in decades and Dunfermline has a full day planned this Sunday the 16th kicking off at 11 in the morning with the lights switching on at 5pm. This might mark the start of somewhere new each year.
I’ve been looking at places to get some otherworldly hot chocolate this year and The Highland Chocolatier up in Pitlochry is now on my list. I had no idea that chocolate tasting flights were a thing! As well as the gift shop, there’s an exhibition and a chocolate lounge with the most extensive hot chocolate menu I think I’ve ever seen.
It wouldn’t be the beginnings of Winter planning without some walks on the list so I’m starting with Mar Lodge Estate. Home to no less than 15 Munros as well as beautiful pine forest, it’s Britains largest National Nature Reserve.
My angel tree topper has needed replacing for too long. Her wings are falling off and she’s been tidied up and glued back together for the past 10 years. I bought her in a shop called Helio’s Fountain when I was at uni in Edinburgh over 20 years ago! I hunt every year for something to replace her that will top my tree for the next 20 and I’ve finally found it. The David Bowie Angel from Jennifer Jackson Heirloom Dolls. Each doll is handmade by Jennifer using traditional techniques and made to be treasured and passed down. Perfect for my heirloom tree.
My Mum was a huge George Michael fan so I grew up with his songs filling the house all the time. I’m always on the lookout for different Christmas cards and these cards from Tiny Riot have just taken me back to my childhood. They do a cool Freddy Mercury one too.
I first came across Jemma Lewis Marbling years ago when I saw her making some of her Christmas baubles on a show. Her hand marbled papers are exquisite and watching how she brings them to life is mesmerising. I have a Christmas cracker making kit that I purchased last year from Origami Est and I think some of Jemma’s papers would make beautiful crackers this year. Another new tradition.
For me, Christmas officially starts on the 1st of December so last on my list is this beautiful advent calendar by Angela Harding. I’ve admired her artwork for years and I’m often accompanied by my robin while I’m gardening. I was lucky enough to grow up with a paper advent calendar every year and even a chocolate one on occasion if my parents had a little money. It’s a tradition I’ve carried on ever since.
I’m back with another image from my archives this month taken on a very snowy Valentines Day in 2014. We booked a weekend break at Loch Tay Highland Lodges and arrived to a total Winter wonderland. We weren’t brave enough to tackle the slopes but enjoyed watching the light cut across Ben Lawers, peeping through breaks in the cloud. I used a long lens to zoom in and pick out some walkers making their way up the mountain.
Spotify has just served me this from one of my many playlists as I finish up for the day and it feels like a good start to the weekend.
Don’t fancy a boogie? Then chill to this from José González. I saw him play in the Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh almost 20 years ago and have loved this album ever since.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.